Approach exercise
the same way: start slow. If you smoke, you need to quit. Sedentary people are
at greater risk of having their heart muscle shrink and stiffen in late-middle
age, which can increase their risk for heart failure. Studies have shown this
can be reversed with moderate aerobic exercise five times per week.

Cannon pharmacist,
George Veltri, states that it’s important for everyone to “know their numbers.”
New guidelines recommend a stricter blood pressure goal of less than 130/80
across the board. However, this needs to be tailored to each patient.

He recommends
those with blood pressure that averages over 140/80 see their doctor. They may
need to be treated with medications. For those over 50, a risk assessment can
be done to see if low-dose aspirin is beneficial. It’s also wise to check with
your pharmacist before purchasing over-the-counter medications or homeopathic
supplements. Many can either raise your blood pressure or interact with
prescribed medications.

Veltri encourages his patients to have a home blood
pressure monitor or come into the store to check their blood pressure at least
three times per week to help evaluate control and minimize overtreatment.

People say that when someone dies of a heart attack,
they died of natural causes. Let’s make this the year that we say there is
nothing natural if we can do something about it.